Management of superior vena cava obstruction with self-expanding intraluminal stents. Two case reports.

Obstruction of the superior vena cava was relieved in two patients by intraluminal, self-expanding Gianturco stents percutaneously inserted in local anaesthesia. The cause of the obstruction was inoperable oat cell carcinoma of the bronchus in one case and irradiation for squamous cell carcinoma of the right upper lobe in the other case. Stenting gave immediate relief of symptoms in both cases, with no complications. Intraluminal stenting is a useful adjunct in the management of patients with obstruction of the superior vena cava.